Brown-headed Cowbird

Brown-headed Cowbirds, birds that historically followed Bison across the Great Plains, began spreading eastward into NY as forests were cleared in the late 1700’s. Due to their nomadic nature, these birds are nest parasites. Females lay eggs in the nests of other birds, most of who will go on to raise the chick as their own, often at the expense of some or all of their own chicks.

Cowbirds are found across New York State, with the exception of much of the the Adirondacks, and most of Manhattan and Brooklyn. In recent years cowbird numbers have been on the decline, perhaps due to reforestation and loss of their preferred habitat.